Antinuclear

Some BHP Billiton shareholders concerned about Olympic Dam uranium mine’s”poisonous legacy”

Olympic Dam opponents willing to sacrifice dividends
ABC News 27 Aug 09

A group of BHP Billiton shareholders who oppose the expansion of the Olympic Dam mine say they would rather forego any dividends from the project than see the environment damaged.

The BHP Shareholders for Social Responsibility group is made up of long-term shareholders from across the nation.

In a submission to BHP Billiton’s draft environmental impact statement, the group’s convener, John Poppins, says among other concerns, there is too much uncertainty about the impact on the local estuary of locating a desalination plant at Point Lowly.

Mr Poppins says BHP has no rectification plan if damage occurs and while shareholders stand to benefit from the expansion, it is a short-term view.

“Some shareholders are of the view that we can forego some of our dividends by looking to do things better environmentally or socially,” he said.

He says the mine will create a poisonous legacy for the future.

Olympic Dam opponents willing to sacrifice dividends – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

September 2, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, business, uranium | antinuclear, Australia, nuclear, radioactive, uranium